Verses for braveheart

A STAFF REPORTER

Jan. 1: The outburst of anger against the gruesome Delhi rape was echoed in poems recited in a poets’ meet here on a footpath at Chandmari, organised to welcome the New Year.

They assembled in front of the All India Radio colony and recited their poems, among which many lines of poetry were in protest against the Delhi rape. They expressed anger and sympathy and said the victim is a symbol of courage.

“Hope your death will show the way for more security for Indian women. We pay tribute to you,” read Akan Choudhury, a poet. He said she would remain in the hearts of every Indian as a symbol of courage.

“The sun hides its face behind the fog/To avoid seeing the faces of nasty people/And he departs early/ The sun is ashamed to lighten the world/To see the dual character of man,” Naju, another poet, read.

Over 50 poets, young and old, were present at the event, Padapathat Abelir Kabita, which was started at 1pm. The organisers also released an anthology of poems by 66 poets.

Radio artiste Surya Das said the event was mooted and formed four years ago by a poet, Kamalakanta Deka, who ekes out his livelihood selling newspapers and magazines in his small stall in Chandmari.

“It was his zeal to start and carry on a unique event made today’s programme a reality for us,” said Das.

He criticised Manu Samhita’s views on women that they should be protected by fathers in childhood, husbands in youth and sons in old age. Rather, he urged them to be bold, challenging and fight equally with men.

In her poem, upcoming poet Anindita Kalita talked about the helplessness of a woman.

She took help of folktales and sayings from day-to-day life to portray the helplessness of a woman. She is of the view that a woman is shackled in the social system.

Another poet, Koli Banikya, expressed the apprehensions of a woman about her married life as a lonely bird.